Be precise when discussing worry and sin

The pursuit of truth requires patience, attention and precision. We need to be able to take issues apart so we can express perfectly what Scripture teaches. A lack of precision can lead souls away from God.

Humans see pain as inherently bad, when it isn’t. Pain is a symptom, not the problem. It alerts our bodies to illness, injury or danger. If we couldn’t feel pain, we would remain in mortal danger.

Stress is also seen in a negative way when It pushes us to excellence and keeps us alert to better ourselves. When we’re walking on a deserted road and a fast car appears, stress helps push us to safety.

Chronic stress, worry and pain trigger the fight or flight system in our bodies. When it persists, our bodies become frantic and our systems eventually begin to break down.

Worry, like pain and stress, can be both positive and negative. The imprecision of our language means that worry covers too much ground. So when we make a blanket statement that it’s a sin to worry, we’re placing souls in danger.

Concern for ourselves and our families is inherent to humanity (2 Corinthians 11:24-28). A failure to do so would be unnatural.

Paul had boldness and faith when in Macedonia, but he was worried as anyone would (2 Corinthians 7:4-5). Despite his anxiety, he was comforted because he knew God was there (2 Corinthians 7:6; Hebrews 13:5).

If a wealthy man with great health and circumstances told a young widow with four kids who lived in a dangerous neighborhood on the razor’s edge financially that it was “a sin to worry,” she would very likely think him insane.

The worry condemned by Christ is that which displaces God and sees no hope (Matthew 6:25-26). We must always see Christ as our Savior and Provider. His light is omnipresent. When we see only darkness, we’ve allowed Satan to use worry as a weapon against us.

Let’s always depend on God for everything because his love never dies (Matthew 6:27-34).

Richard lives in Florence, Alabama and is married to Deirdre. They have three daughters. He is an avid reader, devoted writer and lover of history and research. He is the author of "The Most Important Question" and is working on more books.

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Richard Mansel

Richard lives in Florence, Alabama and is married to Deirdre. They have three daughters. He is an avid reader, devoted writer and lover of history and research. He is the author of "The Most Important Question" and is working on more books.
View all posts by Richard Mansel